Right, it really does feel that way. Splitting the 2 game home stretch would make it a best of 3 series, with 2 road games. That was only the 2nd home loss by the Spurs all season, so I wouldn't bank on another in this series. KD, and Russ are the superior players in this series, (Leonard is right there too tho, could make an argument he's better than one of them) but the Spurs depth, and coaching is a real thing of beauty. The Thunder don't compete in those crucial categories. So that's why I was, and despite that win, still remain skeptical about winning the series, but it sure is exciting, and you never know.. (Tho does it matter? Nobody is beating GS 4 times.)
Yeah.. nobody beating GS, but for some reason i still like how we match up vs them better than SA. I think it's really just the coaching. OKC has learned how to work around the heavy spurs pick n roll offense.. now it's just isolation with Aldrige that's eating us alive... The one time we doubled him (at the end of the game) led to him picking up his dribble and passing out to kawhi, who then forced up a bad 3 and missed. I want to see more of that, LMA is going to continue to try an feast on us, but if we take him out of the game do they really stand a chance? Kawhi is good but isn't looking to take a whole lot of shots. He won't even try to beat us by himself like LMA has been doing. We gotta stop that LMA iso and force pop to try the next thing in his bag of tricks. The more we take them away from their M.O the more our chances to win increase. Where's big perk when ya need em?!We look so soft sometimes without him... never thought i'd say it but i miss that man! He'd be pushing Lamar around and he'd use all 6 of his fouls with pride before he lets him just drop 40+ points on em..
Some time on the clock is always better than none when you are down. If they got another possession, they could have hit a 3 and cut the lead to 1. Then they foul again, and even if they hit all free throws, another 3 will tie the game and force over time. A technical free throw is only 1 shot, not 2, so making it only puts the team up 2. The spurs were down to desperate fouling situations regardless, so they could have pulled it off if that big scramble didn't occur. I am also thinking that OKC will not survive in this series because it's true that they should have been up by a lot more at that time and were almost in full choke mode. I think the Spurs will win the next 3. Very entertaining game.
DerRozan was an 85% FT shooter during the regular season. 1/7 from the line tonight, last I saw the whole team bad from the line toronto winds up winning by 4 in OT they should've won this in regulation
Next 3!?!? Interesting... Usually OKC beats SA in OKC, but i don't trust this Billy Donovan guy so who knows. & Yeah i noticed i messed up that 2 tech free throw scenario... you are correct.
Doesn't look like it will be this one, but I agree. My money is on 2-2 after 4 games. I just had a feeling the Spurs would be playing angry, with more passion tonight, and so far that looks to be accurate.
Yep Byz, I know the Thunder all too well. I think they'll take the game Sunday, and then drop 2 in a row to lose 4-2. Gotta hold out hope tho..
They really can't, IMO. They especially don't have a shot against the Warriors if Curry is 90% or so. This shooting isn;t sustainable. They''re playing great against ateam that matches up terribly against them. They're playing well, but making 60 threes throughout three games is not going to happen in the Finals or even in the next round.
Last year they made it to the Finals and gave Golden State a fairly good fight with many injured players, including Love and Irving. While I do agree that shooting as well as they are likely won't remain that way, they also are getting full contribution from all guys including the addition of Channing Frye, who has been lights out. This is a very different Cavs team from last year and they are getting extremely hot at the perfect time. They have yet to lose a playoff game, and at this rate, will have plenty of rest going into the next series. It's all a personal opinion, but I can see Cleveland winning it all this year
Yeah, but the Cavs losing Love and Kyrie completely changed their identity- a style that was a better fit to beat the Warriors. And we can't forget that was GSW's first deep playoff run/ and they're just flat out better than they were last season. The Cavs are playing very well, but I am not completely sold yet. We'll see though.
Id have to disagree about Love and Irving. The way they are playing right now, they would beat Golden State. They are shooting the 3 ball like no one has before, in the playoffs. Will it stay that way? We will see, but last night they were fighting to stay in the game in the fourth quarter against Atlanta. There was one point where they came back and LeBron touched the ball maybe twice. Frey was making threes, Love was making threes, JR was making threes, and Irving was driving and dishing the ball out. If you can come back and take the lead without your biggest player touching the ball, you have something working. They way Cleveland is playing right now, it is very hard to say they will lose. The question is, will it hold up against teams like Golden State or San Antonio. This is the best Cleveland has ever been. Hands down.
